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First woman President of Harvard in 371 years

Drew G. Faust fields questions from the press at the news conference following the announcement of her election. (Photo Kris Snibbe/Harvard News Office)

A message from Kathy Jacob about the reaction at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. Its leader, Drew Gilpin Faust, was appointed the first woman President of Harvard in 371 years. This piece was written on Monday, February 12, the first work day after the news became official at Harvard.
Little will get done around here today!
Drew called us all together at Agassiz Theater this morning. Of course she got a long, long standing ovation and lots of cheers and chants.
All of the Radcliffe Institute Fellows marched down Concord Avenue and into the theater together with huge bunches of red and white balloons that read Prez Drew, 371 (that’s how many years Harvard’s been around), etc. But the very best were the “It’s a Girl!” balloons!
Click on the link at the very end of the message for some great photos of Drew.
Kathy
Kathryn Allamong Jacob
Curator of Manuscripts
Schlesinger Library
Radcliffe Institute
Harvard University

February 11, 2007
Dear Members and Friends of the Harvard Community, I am extremely pleased to report that Drew Gilpin Faust, the dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study and the Lincoln Professor of History at Harvard, has been elected to become the twenty-eighth president of Harvard University, effective July 1, 2007.
Drew is an inspiring and accomplished institutional leader, a superb scholar, an outstanding teacher, and a wonderful human being. Harvard will benefit from her experience, her energy, and her wisdom in the years to come.
I invite your attention to the announcement that appears at http://www.harvard.edu, where you can read more about our new president-elect.
On behalf of the presidential search committee and the governing boards, I thank the many of you who offered us your advice during this important search. With your help, we have reached an outcome that holds great promise for all of us who care about Harvard.
Many thanks, and all best wishes.
Sincerely,
James R. Houghton
Senior Fellow of the Corporation
Chairman, Presidential Search Committee
Link to press release: http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/02.15/99-president.html